h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Websailor I've just sent you an email (to s/b address). Hope it helps

Hi WS, would have thought that they shouldn't be able to build if that's the case.It's like all councils,"s@d the animals and any wildlife...we'll make some money here" attitude!!I agree with you,the badgers can't fight for themselves....i feel for them too.

I seem to recall one area where a "tunnel" was built,just so the badgers didn't have to cross where a new road was made.
If you need any support, with phone calls etc.just let me know
,and i'll find ut what i can from this end about the situation.

It is typical that they gave us very short notice with the weekend looming. They have a licence so there is little we can do.

I have tried to get in touch with some people without success. No-one appears to answer email on a Friday and I know from last time that the rail company will not answer. This time they have a 'helpline' which is designed to do exactly the opposite!!

Back later.

Websailor

Fri. 27th Apr 07
Weather: Mild, Very breezy, bright

1am and the lawn dish had been emptied but the patio dish was still intact suggesting only one badger had been .

The night was very quiet with no visits from the little varmints as far as I know.

6am and the patio dish was still untouched but the wood pigeons were playing havoc with the Sensor setting the alarm off repeatedly from 5.30am gone for the night!!

SATURDAY Sunny with a very old easterly wind

The starlings were here very early, but the robin and blackbirds had beaten them to it. There were still a few mealworms left from last night to my surprise, but I was bombarded with birds as I put the new ones out. The cold wind seemed to have made the birds hungry, and when a starling managed to get in to the cage and get a mouthful, he clearly hadn't noted where he came in as he struggled, and flattened himself to get out at the bottom, stubbornly trying again and again . While he floundered around a magpie came and had a go at him and I had to chase him off.

I was just preparing my gloves to go and let him out when he found a way out at the top still hanging on tightly to his beakful of worms!! The wind seemed to send the birds in to a frenzy, and a jay and a magpie fought bitterly over control of the stone table. Surprisingly, the jay hung on and won. They are beautiful big birds but very shy and they usually fly off. Later two magpies were having a 'set to' and quite vicious it was too. Nigel tells me the magpies had some baby blackbirds from a nest in his garden. So sad .

Male woodpecker(s) were spotted at 8.25am and 7pm, and probably came in between unseen.

turn for the day was the arrival of a male nuthatch, twice. We haven't seen one for weeks.

The solitary rat is still coming out in daylight, and I find myself strangely feeling for him . He doesn't look a brilliant specimen, and isn't finding much in the way of food as the birds don't leave much, and I remove the rest!!

Tonight is the start of the embankment clearance, if they start near us

Back tomorrow,

Websailor

<> Well, whether old, young or new, it was very, very cold!!!

Websailor

All quiet on the West MIds. front last night. Not even a sound of distant vandalism

Back later,

Websailor

Giant moles burying under Kent cause earthquake

It was very quiet last night, they must be working down to our area during the next couple of nights .

It was so sad to find the Magpies flying off with the little baby blackbirds . We spent hours shooing the Magpies off but while our backs were turned they nipped in quickly and took them away.

Its nature I suppose but is upsetting when the blackbirds have put in so much work feeding the young and caring for them.

Hopefully the Robins Nest in the big conifers at the bottom of the garden will survive. The mom has plenty of food available from Mcwebbies Cafe just down the road.

Take care.
Youngsuper_Nigel

Sat. 28th Apr. 07
Weather: Mild, breezy, light

at 1.30am the fox was eating from the badger dish on the lawn. I heard the alarm earlier but couldn't get there, so he may have just been eating what Brock had left, but if he has found out how to get the lid off I am in trouble.

5.30am and both dishes were open, empty and cleaned out!!

However, if it is the fox it should shut PHM up, as if the foxes are visiting there is less likelihood of the little varmint sticking around. He has been in out all day

SUNDAY Cool wind, sunny spells, breezy, showers

Yet again the squirrel has pinched the remains of the peanut cake, case and all and run off with it, I know not where! The male woodpecker was drumming loudly this morning, and on and off all day, calling in to re-fuel at 8.25am, 8.28am, 12.13pm, 1.13pm and again at 5.58pm.

The female blackbird came for her daily bath, emptying the birdbath again. She really enjoys it, and a starling jumped in what was left shortly afterwards.

Ginger sent the birds in a frenzy as he chased 'something' round the BBQ and the patio, cornering whatever it was behind a woodpile. I saw something shoot out, but it was small, like a frog or woodmouse. Whatever it was it was too quick for Ginger. Where is the silly when the rat is around Come to that where is the sparrowhawk when I need him This rat does not move quickly, in fact we are wondering if he is part deaf and part blind as his reactions are so slow.

The birds have fed busily all day, and are enjoying the two dishes of mealworms they are now getting, one in the morning and one in the evening! Spoilt or what.

That's it for today folks. NIgel and I await disturbances again tonight. Dare we hope they are going to give us a miss? That would be such a relief.



Websailor

Re post 2463: even if they have a licence, it will have conditions attached. NE should be able to tell you what those conditions are and how they intend to ensure that they're complied with

Good luck

Delayed posts are due to family celebrations i.e. PHM's birthday, so have been a bit busy.

Sun 29th Apr.07
Weather: Mild

9.30pm the alarm was not on as PHM gets rattled when it keeps going off The lawn dish was found to be open. Was it the fox? I don't know. What I do know is that we watched a solitary rat racing back and forth with scraps from the dish, heading through the fence on the right. The spped it moved at was breathtaking, and we don't think it could be the daytime rat who can barely crawl around.

1.20am and the patio dish had also been opened. Bright <moon<light facing me made it difficult to see but the alarm had gone as the culprit exited, and the lid was down on the lawn. This s uggests that it might be a fox, as they like running off with things

NO RAIL WORK SO FAR!

MONDAY morning hot, sunny, windy

The female blackbird came for her daily bath, almost emptying it and the robin came within two inches of my hand three times . The birds all showed up for the early shift but I had to spend most of the day in town shopping so didn't see much.

The family was round all evening which was ejoyable but exhausting .

Mon.30th Apr.07
Weather: Breezy, mild with bright light.

11.20pm and the alarm went crazy. I raced to the window to find a fox pushing and pulling at the lid and brick on the lawn dish. It eventually succeeded and began tucking in frantically.

The moonlight was behind the fox so I had a clear silhouette of a Vixen with a neat row of teats, so she clearly as cubs suckling. I promptly forgave her for being a and stealing the badger food, after all in the natural world it is first come first served, and the early fox gets the grub!!

11.38pm and she was back again for more.

At 3.24am I found a watching from the path as a rat cleaned up the scraps from the dish just two feet away . Honestly, he just stood there looking!!! Then he wandered down the garden, exiting left and the rat went right . PHM is still ing about getting the rat trap out, so I told him he had to do it as I couldn't, and I have heard nothing since

4am and the alarm went off twice. A badger came mooching up the garden, sniffing and listening. It appeared to be Missie by her behaviour. She covered all the garden, investigated the lawn dish, huffed and puffed and wandered off. She didn't attempt to come up to the patio where a dishful awaited. She disappeared from view to the right, in to the neighbours garden I think where the fence is down (yes, it still is!) then re-appeared at 4.07am exiting left at 4.08am.

By 6am the patio dish had been emptied and the lid had been dragged on to the lawn again so it must have been the vixen back for second helpings. The badgers leave the lid next to the dish!!

ALL QUIET ON THE RAILWAY still though some trains are tooting as they go through, suggesting workmen may be on the line somewhere nearby.

TUESDAY morning. Breezy, sunny, hot.

The robin almost landed on my yellow gloved hand as I put the mealworms on the wall for him. He was just one inch from my fingers and seemed quite unconcerned . A starling had a bath, the blackbird came for hers and shooed him off, and a jay saw a magpie off the stone table several times. A wood pigeon had the most enormous drink from the big birdbath. They seem to be using it now I have put a large brick in the middle. It looks unsightly but they seem happy. Just about all the usual birds put in an appearance, including the messy, noisy Bovver Boys . Had a big cleanup this morning before it got too hot.

Three squirrels out of five were chasing round the pole feeder for about five minutes - Well, I suppose it IS May Day after all!! They are absolutely loopy!

visitor today was a male house sparrow, so rare round here these days. Something in the newspaper suggested that sparrows are being alienated by phone masts, and it certainly made me think. Our regular visitors disappeared about the same time a raft of phone masts went up on a block of flats not far away. Coincidence or not, it is interesting.

Our confused nocturnal but daytime visitor hasn't put in an appearance today. Perhaps it is just too hot?

See you later if there is any more news.

Websailor

I have a confession to make webbie, last week I kept reminding myself, that when I go up town get a card for PHM.....
ARGH! plus other none printable words
Please pass on to him my wishes for yesterday and my apologies for a absent mind

Evening WS! Thanks once again.

I have today received my renewal notice from the RSPB. Included in the envelope was a leaflet 'going local' with various local events listed.

Following on from your recent posting, I notice that there is an event on Saturday 9th June called 'splendid house sparrows' which is taking place at Woodgate Country Park in Bartley Green. Is this somewhere you could/would wish to visit? Apparently telescopes and binoculars are provided and it is being held between 10:30am and 4:00pm

Animal,
I will pass on your good wishes, and thank you. He was a bit overwhelmed with the attention yesterday . He doesn't 'do' birthdays if you know what I mean!! As for cards, waste of money etc. etc.!! I think he was secretly pleased though!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scorp,

Yes, it would be possible for me to get there except for one thing. I am booked for that entire weekend at the Nature Centre for a regular event. Things always clash and I miss out on a lot that way. Oh, well, one day maybe I will retire and get to do things like that instead of 'working' at them!!

Hasn't it been gorgeous? This early good weather really worries me. I bet it will change when our outdoor events start, it usually does.


Websailor

Evening WS!

Two firsts for 2007 for me today. Buzzing up the M18 (to re-pot a pear tree at the caravan) I spotted a swallow; and then on the site, we saw four canada geese shepherding a flock of twelve tiny goslings around. They looked so cute

Very dear WS

Well I have been off line for over a week. Wretched new servers, inefficient rude man who came to install it as it was so difficult. Me not feeling up to the mark and K having burnt his foot. altogether we are a sorry lot.!!
It was great to get online and read your page.
Incidentally, if it won't make him cross please wish your spouse a Happy Birthday. I am thrilled because there were four birds in the philadelpus a couple of days ago. Two blue birds and two yellow birds. I could acutally see the colours as well which made me very pleased.

The painters are coming in next week. They want me to move all my furniture. A friend has suggested that I get the removal people to pack all and put it in storage!, K and I will go away for a week - at the moment we shall be going to Tankerton which is on the estuary of the Thames near Canterbury, if I can find a hotel that takes old crocks like me!!.

Keep well and I am so glad to be back with you all.

with much affection

Christiane and K. AR1

Hi, Christiane,

Glad to see you online again. I got your message on the Saterday morning so I was late putting up your apologies, but I did put it on at least two threads.

If you read GB's threads you will see they had a great day, and there are photos on Yahoo too.

I hope you are feeling better, and that the decorating goes ok. I am sure you will find a hotel which will look after an elegant purple headed mature lady

Websailor

Tues. 1st May 07
Weather: Mild with bright

No sign of any rat during the day nor the evening. In fact the alarm was silent until 1.33am when I dragged myself out of bed to see who had visited. Both dishes were empty, with the lids close by so I think the badgers had their fill and not the fox. Various checks throughout the night showed no sign of vermin activity which was a relief.

The other kind of vermin didn't show up either which was an even bigger relief

WEDNESDAY Hot and sunny with a chilly wind.

The squirrels are becoming a real pest. At 6.15am they were scampering all over the tables and swinging from the feeders like monkeys . If they just ate the food I wouldn't mind but they eat the feeders too .

The robin was waiting for me this morning and pounced as I took the lid off the tub. He will be in the tub soon if he gets any closer . "Two for me, one for me, three for them" seems to be the pattern, and he is getting used to the fact that when the dish is empty there are no more worms till evening, and he was waiting again at 5.30pm!

The blackbird had her bath, and a starling nearly drowned himself trying to copy her! The jay is becoming possessive over 'his' stone table, chasing everything off. The female woodpecker put in an appearance today and hammered seven bells out of the peanuts as there is no peanut cake left now and I am not putting any more out in this heat. I have a few blocks left if we get hit by a cold spell but that's all. Mrs. Headbanger stayed for a good five minutes stabbing at the starlings that came near with that lethal beak. The male came later and also had a go at the peanuts.

The ' rat has not put in an appearance for two days, and last night nothing showed up. Fingers crossed they have moved on to pastures new. The birds and squirrels are really peeved that I am not feeding on the ground.

Everything crossed for another peaceful night.



Websailor

http://www.idcd.info/

Just had the above information appear on my screen from 'the perv in the bushes'

Scroll to the bottom of the link when it opens WS!